Symonds charged, may be fined on Thursday

Melbourne, Jan.27 (ANI): Cricket Australia has charged controversial Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds with a Code of Conduct breach following his abusive radio rant against Kiwi batsman Brendon McCullum. Symonds, who called McCullum “a lump of shit”, has been charged with breaching the Code of Behaviour provisions relating to detrimental public comment. According to the Courier Mail, he will face a hearing presided over by CA Code of Conduct Senior Commissioner Gordon Lewis in Melbourne on Thursday. It is likely he will give evidence by phone and could face a possible suspension or a fine, the paper said. “Given the importance of the tribunal hearing, it would be inappropriate to comment on the issue now a report has been made,” CA’’s acting CEO Michael Brown said today. “Once the outcome of this hearing is finalised, CA will be in a better position to assess issues relating to Andrew Symonds,” he added. CA is disturbed by the fact that Symonds was under the influence of alcohol when he gave the interview last Friday, only a day before he was due to play club cricket in his return from knee surgery. There is pressure coming from CA board members to tear up Symonds contract following his latest disciplinary dramas. (ANI)